Cuban Missile Crisis

Era:

ERA 9: Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970's)

Keywords:

Cuban Missile Crisis Hispanic American History Cuba Cold War Soviet Union

Date Created:

Place Created: Cuba

Year Created: 1962

Historical Theme:

Diplomacy Foreign Affairs Government Politics War Science and Technology

Description: The Cuban Missile Crisis was a dangerous confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. This intense standoff was triggered by the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. Such a direct menace to American interests propelled the Cold War adversaries to the precipice of nuclear war. In response, President John F. Kennedy initiated a naval blockade of Cuba to halt additional missile shipments. Following a period of heightened tension, characterized by diplomatic talks and the withdrawal of U.S. missiles from Turkey, the Soviets agreed to remove their weapons from Cuba, ending the crisis.

Categories of Documents:

Cuba